Walking Aids

This page is designed to help anyone who has been given a walking aid to help them get around.

You will find a number of videos below showing you some ways to use the walking aid you may have been given.

Some people may have been given some specific instructions from their hospital about how they should use their foot or leg whilst using the walking aid. This is normally after an injury or an operation. Below is a list of the commonly used terms for these instructions and what they mean.

Commonly used terms with walking aids:

Full weight bearing

This means you can take as much weight as you like through your foot/leg.

Weight bearing as pain allows

This means you can take as much weight through your foot/leg as you can.

Partial weight bearing

This means you should limit how much weight you put through your leg to about 50% or half.

Touch weight bearing

This means you should only touch the floor gently with your toes but not actually take any real weight through them.

Non-weight bearing

This means you should not take any weight through your foot/leg.

How to use elbow crutches:

Full or partial weight bearing with elbow crutches

Touch weight bearing with elbow crutches

Non-weight bearing with elbow crutches

Full weight bearing with one crutch

Standing up and sitting down with crutches

Stairs with crutches - full or partial weight bearing

Stairs with crutches – non weight bearing

How to use a walking stick:

How to use a walking frame:

Walking with a frame

Standing up and sitting down with a frame

Need more help? Refer yourself here.